If no deck support....why have a deck at all? The deck is an obstacle at this point. If that hull was mine, I'd give it 8" of gunnel all the way around and a flat little area on the hull floor for casting and call it a day...

I see what you are getting at there oysterbreath but 8 inch would take the spray rail away. There will be support for the deck. Deck will be reinforced to hold a Spider or regular casting platform. Plus bags can be thrown under the decks and rod racks will be under side decks. I was thinking about cutting about 2 inches or so off the shear of a hull, removing the spray rails then re attaching then at about have of their depth. Might also narrow up the boat a few inches, but need to play with this boat first to see what we get.

But if you had interest in having a boat like that you let us know we would be happy to customize one for you.